Problem with Dual Boot (or MultiBoot) Win8/7

SlyConvict

Reputable
Jun 1, 2014
18
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4,510
Okay - so, up until yesterday, my computer was working fine. I have Windows 7 installed on one hard drive and on a separate hard drive I have Windows 8.1

I can no longer access my Windows 8 operating system via booting into the disk. I can access it from Win7, all files appear in tact and they will open when clicked on... so.. the problem has to be somewhere in the MBR... Full story for explanation, scan or read it at will, but either way, please help.

Yesterday I noticed that my antivirus program on win 7 would not allow a program I use regularly access to the internet. It was an endless loop of: "... is trying to access the internet, allow, disallow or allow once..." and I always selected allow but the loop never ended so I decided to try accessing the same program via my win 8 disk. Once logged in to Windows 8 I noticed that my AV program's firewall wasn't active and when I tried to activate it I was told to reboot, which also was an endless loop of the same process (reboot after reboot after reboot)...

So, I contacted my AV provider and they wanted a buck fifty to solve it, of which I don't have ($150.00) so I tried to repair it myself by completely uninstalling and reinstalling the AV program. I also manipulated the registry by removing all instances of the AV program (nothing else). On Win8 I was able to resolve the problem so I decided to try the same process on Win7 and wow, problem solved there as well.

But during this process, I think I deleted the multiboot info from the registry or startup folders. During the process of the AV replace, I notice odd things in my MSCONFIG ... I saw that it was set to "Selective Startup" which I didn't recall indicating in the past so I unchecked that and also selected the normal startup (in both windows 7 and windows 8. I worked first in the Windows 8.1 file system and hard drive then when completed I replicated my steps in the windows 7 operating system.... In doing this process, I am now bound to windows 7 and cannot get my windows 8 to boot. I've tried using msconfig to acknowledge my Win8 disk and allow it to be part of the multi-boot options - no luck.
I downloaded and installed easyBCD - again, no luck. No matter how hard I try, I can't get the dual boot option to return.

If I unplug my win7 disk (disconnect within the case) I get some error message during boot up that indicates there is no valid operating system on my win8 disk and I should insert the install disk and reinstall the operating system. When I place the disk in the DVD drive and choose the repair option I get an error message that tells me the drive is locked and I need to unlock it. I have NO IDEA how to unlock it.

Thus, I've come here .... I've had and found much help from these forums, so, once again, I return begging for assistance... lol

I don't remember how I initially created the dual boot option, but I can remember that I had to look it up because it didn't auto happen when I initially set it up. I remember I had to type a few commands and set the default option to display the operating system options until the user selected the preferred one. I would like to replicate this option since I have 2 small children using it for their schooling and a wife that uses it for her business - they both are set up under the different operating systems, differently (as am I, since I work and go to school - Win8 is University provided thus that is my education operating system whereas Win7 is my business related operating system)...

Any and all advice would be appreciated. Sorry for the long explanation but I figure the more detail, the better...

I tried to edit this and upload a picture of the boot up process, but I am unable to attach photo's... here is what the boot-up to Windows 8 disk says...

"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem...."

It then lists a 3 step process involving booting from the install disk, which I've tried. The file that it says is corrupted is \boot\BCD
Status: 0xc000009s

It then states "The Boot Configuration data file doesn't contain valid information for an operating system"
 

SlyConvict

Reputable
Jun 1, 2014
18
0
4,510
Just wanted to update the few people that have read this post and perhaps those that might read it in the future. I was able to repair the problems related to the loss of access to my Win8 drive. The resolution was rather simple, actually. All that was required was the Win8 install cd, which I have and the knowledge to type ONE LINE at a command prompt.

The resolution:

Make sure the Windows 8 hard drive was the only hard drive actively connected, set BIOS to boot from CD before hard drive, insert Win 8 install disk and wait for system load.
At the system load I merely needed to navigate through the options until I reached "command prompt".
Once there, all I had to type was:


bootrec /rebuildbcd

After a few moments a notification came up indicating it found a windows installation on drive c and asked if I wanted to add it. The options are [y][n][a] where y=yes, n=no and a=all... I chose [y], typed exit, rebooted and PRESTO - all fixed :)

I then repeated the steps to add my windows 7 disk to the boot menu by turning off my system, reconnecting the other 2 hard drives (one does not have an operating system on it) and repeating the process only, this time I selected [a] for all...

Anyway - the problem I wrote about above has been resolved and if anyone has more questions about what I did to fix it, I'll be happy to answer your questions as best as I can.